Polyester moulds and epoxy


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ajb100
ajb100
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Hi guys, I was wondering if someone could clear something up for me as I've read conflicting information and now  I have a project where I need to know

Basically, I've been asked to make a part from epoxy using a mould which is being supplied.

The downside is the mould is made using polyester resin and some people say that I 100% won't be able to remove the part when finished, some say I need to use their special technique and combination of release agents and some say it'll be fine. Don't know if it'll make much difference, but I plan on using gc50 so hoping this will act as a decent barrier between the mould and epoxy

Some solid advice would be great. I've only ever had to use easy lease and wax and never had a problem making polyester parts in an epoxy mould.

I don't want to have to make a polyester buck, seal and make an epoxy mould as that cost will scare them away

Thanks in advance
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fgayford
fgayford
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Hi Ajb

All of my molds are polyester and I have absolutely no problem making epoxy parts, or polyester parts. I have wet layed up and vacuum bagged and infused in the same mold.

Sometimes I wax and use PVA, other times I just wax. I also use a release agent called ChemTrend which I think is about the same as the EZ lease.

One error I used to make in waxing was that I never read the instructions. You must wax buff and then wait for the wax to cure hard before applying the next wax coat. I would wax, buff and right away put on more wax buff and so on until I had 6 coats, or so I thought. What I really had done is wax buff and then when I applyed the second coat on right away I was removing the uncured first coat and so on. When I thought I had six coats, I really only had one coat. This made the part a little hard to release but it would release.

Hope this helps.

Fred
ajb100
ajb100
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Thanks for that Fred!

Alex
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